Japan's Cultural Treasures

Group Tour | General interest

12 Days & 10 Nights• From £4,555

Discover the cultural heritage of Japan
on this exciting journey through the
country’s main island of Honshu. Visit
the tranquil Kenroku-en garden and the
castle of Kanazawa before exploring
the imperial city of Kyoto with its many
temples and shrines. Experience the
sombre modern history of Hiroshima,
then visit the picturesque island of
Miyajima with its iconic Torii gate before
finishing back in Tokyo.

Saving up to £200 on specific departures when booked by 24 Dec 16

The Cox & Kings highlights

Stay in centrally located 4-star hotels

Direct flights with British Airways

Tea ceremony in Kyoto and watch gold leaf production in Kanazawa

Explore the temples, gardens and shrines of Kyoto and Nara

Tour the Hiroshima Peace Park with a talk by an A-bomb attack survivor

Visit the Omi fresh food market then stroll
in the Higashi-Chayamachi district, home to
various traditional buildings, before stopping
at a workshop to observe the kinpaku process
of gold leaf production. Afternoon excursion to
Shirakawago to see the Unesco-listed gasshozukuri
houses and their unique architectural
style. (B)

Morning visit to Ryoanji temple, famous for
its zen rock garden, and the Kinkakuji temple
(Golden Pavilion). Afternoon tour of the historic
city of Nara. Return to Kyoto. Optional evening
excursion to walk in the Gion geisha district. The
following day is at leisure. (B)

Day 10: Hiroshima

Morning departure to Hiroshima by train. Visit
the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park where a short
talk by a bomb attack survivor, or one of their
relatives, has been arranged (subject to local
conditions). Overnight at the Sheraton Hiroshima
Hotel or the Hotel Granvia Hiroshima. (B, L)

Day 11: Miyajima island • Tokyo

Take the ferry over to Miyajima island and visit
the Itsukushima shrine and the Torii gate. Return
to the mainland and take the train back to Tokyo.
Overnight at the Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu. (B)

Day 12: Fly to London

Transfer to Haneda airport for the flight back to
London. (B)

Meal basis

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast,
L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important information

Group tour manager

This tour is fully escorted
throughout by a local tour manager from arrival
in Tokyo.

Superior tour

This tour is based in 4-star
accommodation. Please note that in Japan
room sizes can be significantly smaller than in
Europe.

*Itinerary

Excursions on Days 3 and 4 may
be switched, subject to local conditions.
The itinerary above applies only to departures
from April 2017 onwards. For January to March
2017, the itinerary includes similar excursions
but is operated using flights via Hong Kong
with Cathay Pacific and ends in Osaka instead
of Tokyo.

Private & tailor-made travel

This itinerary can
be taken privately on a date that suits you, but
note that the cost of travelling on a private basis
rather than as a part of a group is significantly
higher in Japan than in most countries. This is
because of the very high costs of private guides
and vehicles. To reduce costs, a similar itinerary
can be booked using public transport and some
self-guided excursions, for which guideline prices
are shown. Please call 020 7808 6786 or email info@coxandkings.co.uk.

Festival departures

18 & 25 March: Hanami (cherry blossoms)

Hanami, literally meaning ‘flower viewing’, is
the traditional Japanese custom of enjoying
the blossoming cherry trees from March to early
May, and specifically in Tokyo and Kyoto in early
April. Cherry blossom can be seen on many of
the excursions throughout the itinerary.

9 April: Takayama spring festival & cherry
blossoms

This is the annual festival of the Hie shrine in the
southern half of Takayama’s old town, ranked
as one of the most colourful festivals in Japan
with decorated floats. On this departure, Day 6
will be an excursion to Takayama for the festival
instead of Shirakawago.

4 October: Takayama autumn festival

At the annual festival of the Hachiman shrine
in the northern half of Takayama’s old town,
colourful processions of elaborate floats are
one of the main highlights. On this departure,
Day 6 will be a trip to Takayama for the festival,
instead of Shirakawago.

Tour detail

Superior group tour accommodation

Set in central Kanazawa next to the JR train station and the Ishikawa concert hall, the Crowne Plaza ANA Kanazawa is an ideal base to explore the city. Among the dining options is the Unkai restaurant, which serves wagyu steaks, is set on tatami mats and looks out over the manicured garden. From the 19th floor Kaga Teppanyaki restaurant there are views out to the Sea of Japan.
Features: 249 rooms, 4 restaurants, cafe, lounge bar, beer terrace.
Room amenities: Minibar, television, wired internet access, tea and coffee facilities, air...

The hotel is well located, near the railway station and within walking distance of many of the key sights in the city. The rooms are comfortably furnished, some with excellent views of the city. The hotel has a swimming pool and fitness centre as well as a wide variety of dining and entertainment...

The Kyoto Royal Hotel & Spa is superbly located in Kyoto city centre, 15 minutes' drive from Kyoto's railway station and within walking distance of the Geisha district of Gion and the Shiyakushomae subway station. Rooms have a contemporary style with a floorspace of between 18 to 22 sq metres.
Features: 443 rooms, restaurant, bar, spa, Wi-Fi.
Room amenities: Television, air conditioning, fridge, hairdryer, Japanese green...

The stylish and contemporary Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel is located on the upper floors of Japan's tallest high-rise building. The 360 well-appointed rooms and suites offer unrivalled views of Osaka Bay, the Ikoma mountains or the city itself. Dining options include Restaurant ZK on the top floor of the hotel, and the COOKA...

The Park Hotel, a member of the Design Hotels portfolio, occupies the top floors of the Shiodome Media Tower in Tokyo's Minato ward, close to the Shiodome Subway Station and only a 10-minute walk to the peaceful Hamarikyu Gardens. The hotel has modern, artistic feel, and is centered around a high atrium with Japanese art on display in the lobby lounge and communal areas.
Features: 273 rooms, 2 restaurants, wine bar, café, beauty salon, Wi-Fi,
Room amenities: Minibar, hairdryer, air conditioning, safe, tea and coffee facilities,...

The Tokyo Marriott Hotel has a convenient location in the busy Shinagawa district, which has easy access by train to other parts of the city, with the shops of Ginza and the nightlife of Roppongi both less than 20 minutes away. A complimentary shuttle bus runs from the hotel to Shinagawa Station.
Features: 242 rooms & 7 suites, 3 restaurants, pool, fitness room, Wi-Fi access in communal areas.
Room amenities: Air conditioning, tea and coffees facilities, minibar, fridge, safe, television, internet...

Tour experts

Superior group tour flights

Upgrades & regional air connections

Regional air connections are available from within the UK. Please contact your travel consultant for current prices from your nearest city.
We can also arrange flights from overseas, simply give us a call to find out more.

Description

Departures between

Price (from)

Cathay Pacific Business Class RTN Supplement (I)

18 Mar 2017 - 18 Mar 2017

£3295

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Supplement (E)

18 Mar 2017 - 18 Mar 2017

£1295

Cathay Pacific Business Class RTN Supplement (I)

25 Mar 2017 - 25 Mar 2017

£3295

Cathay Pacific Premium Economy Supplement (E)

25 Mar 2017 - 25 Mar 2017

£1295

British Airways First Class Supp (A)

09 Apr 2017 - 09 Apr 2017

£4495

British Airways Club World Supp (I)

09 Apr 2017 - 09 Apr 2017

£3295

British Airways World Traveller Plus Supp (T)

09 Apr 2017 - 09 Apr 2017

£495

British Airways First Class Supp (A)

04 Oct 2017 - 04 Oct 2017

£4495

British Airways Club World Supp (I)

04 Oct 2017 - 04 Oct 2017

£3295

British Airways World Traveller Plus Supp (T)

04 Oct 2017 - 04 Oct 2017

£495

British Airways First Class Supp (A)

11 Nov 2017 - 11 Nov 2017

£4495

British Airways Club World Supp (I)

11 Nov 2017 - 11 Nov 2017

£3295

British Airways World Traveller Plus Supp (T)

11 Nov 2017 - 11 Nov 2017

£495

Important information

If you choose to take the tour without flights arranged through Cox & Kings, please contact one of our travel consultants prior to booking the flights to ensure that you are aware of the tour timings and all the implications of not booking through us. We strongly advise you not to book flights independently of Cox & Kings if significant charges would apply in case of cancellation.

Superior group tour extensions

Dates & prices

This tour can be booked / reserved online by clicking on one of the coloured links below.

JCT2017: 10 Nights

Reviews

We have recently returned from our honeymoon in Japan and just wanted to let you know what an absolutely fantastic time we had! Our guide was fantastic, the accommodation in Tokyo and Kyoto was first class and the ryokan on Miyamira Island was an amazing experience. The trip was certainly the holiday of a lifetime, which was perfect as it was our honeymoon.Mr & Mrs Turner

The contrast between high-tech Tokyo and the Bullet trains, and the tranquility and peace of the Rock Garden and the floating gate at Hiroshima. The two nights in the Ryokens were memorable experiences. We also deliberately chose to go in November to experience the Autumn colour, and we were not disappointed.Ms Janice Murton

The friendliness of all the people and the stunning countryside was what most impressed us. The cleanliness of everywhere from train stations to pavements is astounding. Mr Kevin Garner

Let us create your dream tour

Holiday Search

We have recently returned from our honeymoon in Japan and just wanted to let you know what an absolutely fantastic time we had! Our guide was fantastic, the accommodation in Tokyo and Kyoto was first class and the ryokan on Miyamira Island was an amazing experience. The trip was certainly the holiday of a lifetime, which was perfect as it was our honeymoon.Mr & Mrs Turner

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